Pet Loss Resources

Recommended Online Resources:

Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement:  https://www.aplb.org

Chance’s Spot:  https://chancesspot.org

Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital - Argus Institute Counseling and Support Services:  https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/argus/pet-loss-support/

Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center:  https://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/services/social-work/pet-loss-support-group

PetLoss.com:  https://www.petloss.com

 The Pet Loss Support Page: https://www.pet-loss.net/

 University of Tennessee Knoxville Veterinary Social Work Site:  https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/pet-loss-support-group-2/

 Veterinary Wisdom:  https://www.veterinarywisdom.com/petparents

National Pet Loss & Grief Support Phone Hotlines:

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine:  607-218-7457

The Pet Loss Support Hotline is available via Google Voice to facilitate support Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. EST, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST. Google Voice will prompt you to enter your name before connecting, however to remain anonymous you can say “anonymous” or just enter your first name.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University:  508-839-7966

Tufts hours 6am-9pm Mon-Fri, 24-hr Voicemail

Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets:  (707) 557-8595

Dr. Kathryn D. Marocchino offers personalized grief counseling sessions and is generally always available, unless traveling to conferences. Callers are invited to leave a brief message if no one answers and carefully articulate their name and call-back number, especially if using a cell phone or when emotionally distressed, so that messages do not become garbled or unintelligible. Calls will be returned as soon as possible, usually within 72 hours.  

Books About Pet Loss and Bereavement:

For Children:

The Goodbye Book – Todd Parr (Ages 2-5)

When a Pet Dies – Fred Rogers (Ages 4-8)

Dog Heaven – Cynthia Rylant (Ages 4-7)

Cat Heaven – Cynthia Rylant (Ages 4-7)

I’ll Always Love You - Hans Wilhelm (Ages 8-12)

Maddie’s Wings: A Lesson in Love – Tamera Rickman (Ages 8-12)

The Rainbow Bridge: A Visit to Pet Paradise – Adrian Raeside (Ages 8-12)

Remembering My Pet: A Kid’s Own Spiritual Remembering Workbook for When a Pet Dies – Nechama Liss-Levinson (Ages 8-12)

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney - Judith Viorst (Ages 8-12)

For Parents of Grieving Children:

Talking About Death – A Dialogue Between Parent and Child – Earl A Grollman

When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses - John W James and Russell Friedman

Healing the Bereaved Child – Alan Wolfelt, PhD

 For Adults:

 Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet - Gary A. Kowalski

Grieving The Death of a Pet – Betty Carmack

Coping With Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet – Moira Allen and Moira K. Anderson

Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children - Arlene Fischer and Herbert A. Nieburg

Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love And Grief – Coleen Ellis

The Loss of a Pet - Wallace Sife

When your Pet Dies: A Guide to Mourning, Remembering and Healing - Alan Wolfelt, PhD